Ep11: Mentorship in the Laboratory

Having the right mentor can help pathologists and laboratory professionals shorten the learning curve and accelerate their professional success. But what should mentees be looking for in a mentor (and vice versa)? And where is the best place to find this kind of professional guidance and support? 

On this episode of Inside the Lab, our hosts Dr. Lotte Mulder and Ms. Kelly Swails are joined by Dr. Kamran Mirza, MD, PhD, Associate Professor of Pathology and Vice Chair of Education at Loyola University Health System in Maywood, Illinois, Ms. Tywauna Wilson, MBA, MLS(ASCP), System Technical Director of Chemistry for CompuNet Clinical Laboratories in Dayton, Ohio, and bestselling author of Some Leaders Wear Lab Coats, and Retired Colonel Dr. Nathan H. Johnson, PhD, MASCP, MT(ASCP), DLM(ASCP), SC, SLS, Chair of the Laboratory Sciences Department, College of Health Professions, at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock, Arkansas, to discuss mentorship in the laboratory. 

The panelists speak to the importance of the mentor-mentee relationship, explaining the need we have for mentorship in the laboratory and the pros and cons of having a mentor in your specific field of study. Listen in for Dr. Mirza, Ms. Wilson, and Dr. Johnson’s insight on how to connect with a potential mentor, what questions to ask to determine if they’re the right fit and how a successful mentor-mentee relationship benefits both parties. 

Key Takeaways 

· Why the mentor-mentee relationship is so important and how a successful one benefits both parties
· The need for mentorship in the laboratory and why it might look different from traditional corporate mentorship programs
· The pros and cons of having a mentor in your field and why your boss may or may not be the best choice
· How to connect with a mentor in the workplace, through professional organizations, or on social media
· The most important factors for a mentor and mentee to consider before agreeing to the relationship

Connect with ASCP 

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Connect with Dr. Mirza 

Dr. Mirza at Loyola University Medical Center
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Connect with Ms. Wilson 

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Ms. Wilson at CompuNet Clinical Laboratories
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Connect with Dr. Johnson 

Dr. Johnson at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
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Connect with Dr. Mulder & Ms. Swails 

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Ms. Swails on Twitter